FAAS Staff

Deborah joined the FAU family in 1983. From 1983 to 1990, she served as Director of Minority Student Services. In 1990, she moved from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs, where she established Freshman Programs which later became what is now the Freshman Academic Advising Services office. Mikki, the name by which she is best known, earned a Bachelor's of Science in Education from Bethune-Cookman College, where she was a diehard "Wildcat." She earned her Masters at Florida State University, which makes her a 'Nole, and she is currently pursuing her Doctorate at Florida International University.

Betty Colson
Associate Director of Academic Support Services

Betty's career in higher education spans more the twenty-five years. Prior to joining FAU in 1996, she worked at Broward Community College; currently she is the Associate Director of Academic Support Services at FAU. Betty completed her undergraduate studies at Barry University and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Adult Education, at Florida Atlantic University. Betty is a member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority and serves on several campus/community committees. Betty enjoys cooking, watching good movies, traveling, and spending time with her family. Betty is liaison to the College of Education.

Liz Kennedy
Associate Director of Retention & Information Systems

Liz was born and raised in western Pennsylvania and came to FAU via northern New York. She has seven years of experience in higher education and six years of experience in community mental health. She holds two master degrees: Student Affairs in Higher Education and Counseling Psychology. In her spare time, Liz enjoys photography, traveling, and cooking. Liz is liaison to the Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.

Hyacinth Wideman
Assistant Director of the University Scholars Program

Assistant Director of The University Scholars Program: The Honors Program at the Boca Raton Campus, has over twenty-five years of experience in the education system. Previously, she served as the Academic Advisor and Assistant to the Dean of the College of Social Science at FAU, and joined the Freshman Academic Advising Services office in 1996. She received her degree from Westminster College in London, England. She has one son, Bryan. Hyacinth is liaison to the College of Nursing. In her spare time she enjoys mentorship, gardening and spending time with her family.

Manjula Neelakanta
Assistant Director of Academic Support Services

Manjula works also with Early Admit Students. She has worked at FAU since 1989. Before joining the Freshman Academic Advising Services office in the Spring of 1997, she worked in Testing and Evaluation and the Students with Disabilities offices. Manjula earned her Bachelor's of Economics from the University of Madras, and her Master's in Public Administration at FAU. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Higher Education Administration at FAU. Her hobbies include stamp and coin collecting, model locomotives and travel. She has two sons, Mahesh -- her "technology guru" and Sabarish -- the "humanitarian". Manjula has extensive knowledge of the requirements for standardized tests (such as FTCE, GRE, LSAT and CLAST) and of accommodations for disabled students. Manjula is liaison to the College of Engineering.

Kirk Hammond
Coordinator of Academic Programs

Kirk started working for the Freshman Academic Advising Services office part-time since 1989, while pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Master's Degree in Business Administration at FAU. Kirk is currently a Coordinator of Academic Programs for the Freshman Academic Advising Services. He is commonly known as the "office computer guru" for any software and hardware issues. His hobbies are working as an academic advisor for a sorority on campus, involvement within the community through local non-profit organizations, and spending time with his wife and family of four daughters and one son. Kirk is liaison to the Schmidt College of Science.

Jess Tuck
Coordinator of Academic Programs

Jess is the Coordinator of Academic Support Services and works as liaison to the College of Business. Before becoming a coordinator Jess was working for the Freshman Academic Advising Services office since 2003 as a graduate advisor, while pursuing his Master’s degree in Counselor Education at FAU. Jess moved to Florida at the end of 2002 from New York where he attended SUNY Plattsburgh and attained his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Jess is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership: Higher Education. When not working you can find Jess at the beach, on the boat, or just enjoying South Florida.

Daniela Higgins
Coordinator of Academic Programs and Student Retention

Daniela is the newest staff member to Freshman Advising – she has recently relocated to South Florida from Colorado. She has over fifteen years higher education experience working primarily with first generation students. She has a Master’s degree in Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Daniela’s duties will include expanding student retention programs and academic advising. Daniela enjoys traveling, running, and reading.

Merideth Dee
Coordinator of Academic Programs

Merideth is the newest staff member as Coordinator of Academic Programs and works as liaison to the College of Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs and Athletics. Merideth received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Florida State University. Before becoming a coordinator, Merideth was working for the Office of Freshman Academic Advising as a graduate advisor while pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Foundations: Educational Psychology at FAU. Merideth is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership: Adult Community Education. In her free time Merideth enjoys relaxing and spending time with friends and family.

Abdula Newman
Coordinator of Academic Programs

Abdula is the advisor for Exploratory/Undeclared Students. He is originally from The Bahamas and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Florida Metropolitan University in addition to a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Abdula previously worked as a graduate assistant in the office of Freshman Academic Advising Services and has recently returned after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University. While Abdula enjoys assisting students with course selections and adjusting to college life his hobbies/interests include traveling, technology, reading, theater, and music.